It is hoped the eight-year-old bear will become accustomed to the crate over the next month to enable his keepers at the park, near Aviemore, to take him the one-mile distance to her enclosure.

The efforts form part of the charity's support of the European breeding programme for polar bears, who are currently listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

Arktos will live next to Victoria in a separate enclosure until their behaviour indicates that the signs are right for their first full introduction.

Douglas Richardson, head of living collections at the park, said: "The two bears will be able to communicate and interact through a secure large fence to start with. We fully expect to see them showing an interest in each other right away.

"As with any introduction of large predators, the process must be approached slowly and carefully, paying close attention to positive behavioural indicators, like vocalisations and body posture.

"Whether we wait until Victoria comes into full breeding condition before mixing them together will depend on how they react to each other in the build-up to that key point."